Coaches nominate: QAFL and QAFLW team’s most versatile players in 2024
They are the special type of players that can swing from one end of the field to the other, all while performing admirably for their side. See who the QAFL and QAFLW coaches have highlighted as their team’s most versatile stars.
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Coaches nominate is back for another year and with the 2024 season underway, senior coaches from across the QAFL and QAFLW have had their say on a range of new topics.
Each round we will reveal who has stood out from each club, diving into unique topics such as best-one-on-one player, rising star, craftiest forward and more.
This week we uncover the players that do a job whenever and wherever required and hold the title as their teams most veristale.
See what the coaches are saying.
QAFL
Aspley, Adrian Pilgrim: “I would’ve put forward Jordan Arnold but he’s unfortunately had to have knee surgery so the other player that comes to mind would be Cody Stackelberg. His ability to play multiple roles is a given but he’s also a star inside or outside which really benefits us.”
Labrador, Clint Watts: “Nathan Wright is a hybrid defender and is doing a really good job, but he can also be an extra forward. We can swing him forward and when we’re struggling we can swing him back.”
Morningside, Paul Egan: “One that springs to mind is Lachie Niland-Rowe. He can play tall, small and push up the field as well.”
Noosa, Matthew Leuenberger: “Our most versatile would be Nathan Horbury. He can play anywhere on the field and thrives in most key positions.”
Redland Victoria Point, Phil Carse: “Tyler Housefeld is a forward/midfielder with lots of impact in both positions and he’s exceptionally strong for his size. He’s really explosive and has lots of power. Jarrod Huddy is a forward/ruck, he’s two metres tall and makes a good contest wherever he goes.”
Broadbeach, Danny Nolan: “Justin Bishop and Alan O’Neil are two that can play forward or midfield and play their role exactly how the team needs.”
Sherwood, Brett McEvoy: “Owen Collins, he’s a young kid who played a fair bit of his junior footy down back, we’ve started playing him a bit through the middle, he’s still learning it but we know what he can do down back, been good thru middle as well kicked some snags up forward.”
Maroochydore, Steve Wildschut: “I’d say Sam McLachlan, he’s shown he can slot in anywhere on the field and do a job for us. He holds his own, if not overcomes his opposition number most matches.”
Surfers Paradise, Matt Lappin: “Billy Beardsell is great, wherever there’s a hole or problem he goes to fix it, forward or back. Josh Neiass can play back or as a winger, he’s a really nice kick of the ball, consistent with his performance and very reliable.”
Wilston Grange, Brent Moloney: “We call him the Swiss Army knife and that’s Hunter Osborne. He can play anywhere in any line and finds his name in a new spot on the team sheet each week depending on the opposition. He can slot in a forward, down back and even on the wing so he’s great to have.”
Mt Gravatt, Hamish Mitchell: “Our most versatile would be Ryan Durrant. He can play back, ruck, mid, forward and steps up to the plate every time.”
Palm Beach Currumbin, David Armitage: “Corey Beaman and Ethan Secak. They’re very similar players, Beaman plays up forward and Secak down back, and we can easily swap them. They played the reverse positions last year and also have x-factor.”
QAFLW
Michael Lovell Photography, Grimes Film - Aspley Hornets, Luke Glacken: “Lucy Pengelly, she can play tall or small and has an engine to run all day. She can slot in at key positions as well and is pretty much a coaches' dream.”
Bond University, Andy Lovell: “Georgia Hutton is probably our most versatile. We play her in the midfield or on a wing, through the backline, wherever we need her.”
Coorparoo Kings, Rory Lake: “Alyssa Gall is a small forward that moved to the wing and inside midfield here. She moves around a few times during games. Ayla Fetahagic is a halfback on the ball that can play in ruck or play forward as well. She’s a real competitor, hates losing, and trains really hard.”
Maroochydore, Paul Magher: “I’d say Jessee Sills. Whether it be inside, outside, back, forward, wherever she always works really hard.”
UQ, Ross Clayfield: “Bridey Condren was new to us last year, she’s 188 cm tall and has a high-level netball background. She’s a ruck-forward but might also play midfield. Is super tall and amazing below her knees. She’s still new to it, but is really versatile and gives us lots of options.
Wilston Grange, Phil Tonkin: “Charlize ‘Chisel’ Anderson for us. She usually plays half forward but we’ve moved her down back a few times and she's taken her game to a new level. Her overhead marking, positioning and towering one-on-ones has been great.”
Yeronga, Stuart Mackay: “On the field that would be Charlotte Millen. She’s had some time up forward to start the year and it’s been hard to get her back into the midfield.”
Southport Sharks, Peter Doherty: Was unavailable for comment prior to the time of publishing.
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